Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyers
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Newport Beach Car Accident Lawyers Provide
Guidance Rooted In Experience
If you have suffered injuries in a car crash, having a lawyer can help you navigate the legal process. Many drivers and insurance companies are often involved in even the most “simple” car accident cases.
When a company or a third party is involved in the case, there are even more insurance companies and lawyers, and the injury victim’s legal rights can easily get overlooked. Our dedicated Newport Beach car accident lawyers can help you understand your rights and guide you through your claim.
We will help you understand what is happening at every step of the claims process. Learn more about Newport Beach car accident statistics, the lasting effects of car accident injuries, the compensation you may pursue, and who may pay for your accident-related losses. Contact our car accident lawyers at Arash Law by calling (888) 488-1391.
Newport Beach Car Accident Statistics
According to Orange County’s Healthier Together program, the OC had a lower rate of car accident fatalities than either California or the United States as a whole between 2016 and 2018. The news is not all good, however. There were still 7.2 road fatalities per hundred thousand Orange County residents during that time. This statistic was also a slight increase from prior years.
In addition to these fatalities, thousands of victims suffered all sorts of injuries. Some of these were devastating disabilities that permanently changed the course of the victim’s life — and their family members’ lives, as well. Even minor injuries can leave victims with ongoing pain, discomfort, and financial losses for years to come. This is why it is crucial to seek accountability after an accident.
Our client was driving with his wife and son on a two-lane highway when a drunk driver crossed the double yellow lines, causing a head-on collision that claimed the life of a loving wife and mother.– Arash Khorsandi
Car Accidents Can Leave Victims Permanently Disabled
For too many injury victims, a car accident is a disabling experience. Serious car accidents can leave a victim unable to ever work again — or even perform simple tasks, like eating or getting dressed. These devastating losses affect every area of a victim’s life. These losses can be extensive and may require significant financial resources to address. Here are a few of the injuries that can potentially lead to permanent disabilities:
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The brain is the most vital organ in the entire body. It controls every aspect of life, including the most basic functions of breathing and keeping your heart beating. The brain is also one of the most vulnerable organs in the body. Though the skull and various other layers protect it, it can still be damaged all too easily in a car accident.
Even minor brain injuries can leave a victim with lingering headaches, dizziness, or cognitive difficulties (such as confusion and forgetfulness). More serious brain injuries can cause devastating disabilities. A traumatic brain injury could leave a victim in a coma. When they awake, the victim cannot remember even their family members.
They might be out of work for a time, or even for the rest of their life. They might need full-time nursing care. These losses are costly, both on a financial and emotional level. Brain injury victims can seek compensation for their economic and non-financial losses.
Spinal Cord Injuries & Paralysis
The spinal cord is another delicate organ that can be injured all too easily in a car accident. If the spinal cord or column is bruised or strained, the victim could suffer paralysis or a limited range of motion for weeks or even months. More serious injuries can result in permanent paralysis. The victim might be in a wheelchair for the rest of their life.
While this does not prevent every victim from working, many physically demanding jobs simply cannot be performed from a wheelchair. In certain situations, individuals living with paralysis may be eligible to seek compensation for expenses related to career retraining. Suppose the victim is left unable to return to any type of gainful employment. In that case, they may be able to pursue compensation for wages they would have earned had the accident not occurred.
Amputations
Amputations have clear definitions under existing disability law, and victims may refer to these when seeking damages. However, it is advisable to work with an experienced car accident lawyer who can help build a case for the potential value of your pain and suffering after an amputation. There are many ways that a car accident can lead to amputation.
If your limb is crushed in the accident or deprived of blood flow for too long, doctors might be unable to save it. Some amputations become necessary after lengthy treatment in the hospital. Victims can seek compensation for medical expenses related to an amputation following a car accident.
Injuries From The Accident Can Leave Lasting Damage
Not all car accident injuries are as dramatic as amputation or paralysis. But even minor injuries that seem treatable can leave a victim with pain and suffering for years to come. Individuals injured in accidents may seek compensation for the emotional distress they experience.
Here are some of the most common non-economic losses that car accident victims endure after their initial medical treatment:
Scars & Disfigurement
It is not uncommon for car accident victims to have long-term physical reminders of their injuries. You might have a scar from being cut by glass or scars from a surgery that was necessary to repair broken bones. Perhaps you lost a toe. There are many ways that a car accident can permanently alter your body.
Even if they can still play, their skills may be affected. They will also have to deal with the emotional losses of a disfigured body. These significant and persistent losses can have substantial effects on a victim.
Ongoing Pain & Suffering
Finishing your medical treatment or physical therapy does not mean that you will never be in pain again. Many injury victims experience soreness, aches, and discomfort for years to come. Long-term pain is especially common with soft tissue injuries (like sprains and strains) and neck injuries (like whiplash).
You must get all the medical care you need to reduce your ongoing symptoms. Some pain, however, does continue long after an accident occurs. Victims can include pain and emotional distress in their accident claims.
A General Decrease In The Overall Quality Of Your Life
The emotional suffering associated with car crash injuries is often worse than the physical pain they cause. Even something as simple as losing sleep can affect all areas of your life. You could miss work, which could cause worry about your job performance.
The stress of losing sleep and worrying about work could lead to a fight with your partner — or even cause you to be short-tempered with your children. Many car accident victims find that their lives are affected in various ways due to their injuries. You can seek compensation for these emotional losses, as well as for the loss of your quality of life.
Largest motorcycle settlement in Tulare County in 2021; client suffered spinal and wrist injuries.– Judd Ross Allen
Who Pays For Car Accident Injuries?
The person legally at fault for causing your accident also has a legal obligation to compensate you for your injuries. The fact that someone else is responsible for your losses is why it is important to consider having an experienced injury lawyer who can identify potential defendants in a car accident claim.
You can file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The experienced motor vehicle accident attorneys at Arash Law can also conduct comprehensive case investigations to identify other potentially liable parties. Some defendants may not be at the scene of the accident at all. Learn more about the individuals and companies who can be found liable for car accident injuries:
Another Driver
All drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else on the road. This duty requires them to operate their vehicles with “reasonable prudence.” If they do not act as a reasonably prudent driver would in the same circumstances, they can be found negligent. Drivers have a legal obligation to pay for the property damage and injuries they cause through their negligence.
This potential liability is why California (like other states) requires all drivers to carry auto insurance with minimum liability coverage. This requirement enables negligent drivers to provide coverage to the people they injure. Sometimes negligence is obvious. If a driver is impaired or violates traffic laws, this is usually enough to establish that they were at fault for an accident.
But liability is not always this clear. Sometimes it is not clear who has the right of way. In these circumstances, a driver’s insurance company could try to shift blame or deny liability, depending on the available evidence.
It is common for insurers to conduct their own investigations. Based on their conclusions, they may provide a settlement offer. Dealing with these parties can be overwhelming. The skilled car accident attorneys at Arash Law work to build a case that demonstrates who is responsible for your injuries.
The Vehicle’s Owner
Have you ever let a friend or family member borrow your car? Most of us have at one time or another. In this case, your auto insurance policy can still cover accidents caused by someone who had permission to drive your vehicle. This third-party coverage helps make auto insurance available to accident victims, even if the driver is not the car owner.
This rule is also important when accidents involve work vehicles that an employee drives. The employer’s auto insurance policy usually will not list every employee as a covered driver. But so long as the employee had permission to use the work vehicle, the employer’s auto insurance policy may cover the injuries the employee sustained.
An Employer
Your employer might also have to pay for your car accident injuries. Workers’ compensation coverage could apply if you were on the job when the accident occurred. You do not have to be in a work vehicle. You also do not have to be officially “clocked in.” If you are injured while running a work errand in your car, your employer’s workers’ compensation policy may provide you with benefits.
Workers’ compensation coverage can become complicated in these circumstances. Suppose you have a separate claim against the driver who caused the accident. In that case, the workers’ compensation carrier could seek reimbursement for the losses it paid, which a settlement with the other driver’s insurance company compensates you for. In these situations, an injury lawyer can advocate for your legal rights, especially when you have a workers’ compensation and personal injury claim.
An Auto Manufacturer
Some auto accidents are the result of vehicle defects. Auto manufacturers are responsible for injuries caused by the defective vehicles they sell due to American consumer protection laws. These cases can involve complicated technical issues. The injury victim’s lawyer must show what the defect was, how it caused the accident, and how the accident led to the victim’s injuries.
Different legal issues tend to arise in defective vehicle cases. A car accident lawyer who has specific experience handling product liability cases can provide support in these circumstances.
Our lawyers can examine these complex technical issues. Our lawyers can work with industry experts to present an evidence-based case that a defective vehicle caused your injuries.
FAQ About Newport Beach Car Accidents
You may have many questions after being involved in a car accident. Our Newport Beach personal injury attorneys have prepared this guide to answer some of the most common questions we hear regarding auto accidents. Of course, we cannot answer all your questions here, and we cannot give you any legal advice specific to your case. Consider scheduling a free initial consultation with one of our Newport Beach car accident lawyers to learn what your possible options are.
What’s The Difference Between Filing An Insurance Claim And Filing A Lawsuit?
Every driver on the road is legally responsible (“liable”) for damages and injuries they cause. An injury victim has a civil claim against a negligent driver, and this allows them to seek compensation for their injuries and losses. The law requires drivers to carry auto insurance to provide coverage in the event of an accident. That said, the first step is to file a claim against the negligent driver’s insurance company.
But what happens if the insurance company denies your claim, the driver has no insurance, or there is not enough coverage to pay for all of your losses? The injury victim may still be able to obtain compensation in these situations. If the insurance company wrongfully denies your claim or refuses to make a fair settlement offer, your lawyer may advise you to file a lawsuit against the negligent driver.
Filing a lawsuit allows you to take your case to court and let a jury decide what your injuries are fairly worth. You might also have other claims against other defendants aside from the negligent driver’s insurance policy. The experienced injury lawyers at our firm can search for potential defendants, claims, and available insurance policies that may be applicable to your case.
Why Do I Even Need A Newport Beach Car Crash Lawyer?
Some injury victims choose to handle their legal claims. You certainly have the right to do so, but it is advisable to consult an attorney if the case gets complicated. An attorney can help you navigate the legal process and advocate on your behalf. Here are just a few of the most common reasons why this is the case:
- An injury lawyer can help you understand the potential value of your claim.
- An injury lawyer understands how to build a case that reflects the extent of your pain and suffering.
- An injury lawyer can help to identify potential defendants.
- An injury lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company, advocating for compensation that reflects your losses.
- An injury lawyer will work to protect your interests when multiple defendants and insurance companies are involved in a case.
When Should I Hire An Injury Attorney?
Consider hiring an accident lawyer shortly after an incident. While the statute of limitations might seem far away, your lawyer may need time to thoroughly investigate your case with enough time to prepare court filings before that deadline passes. Engaging an attorney early in the process can help you make informed decisions if you wish to proceed with the legal process.
What Is The Fair Value Of My Pain And Suffering?
Every case is different. There are various types of compensation for your specific pain and suffering in your unique circumstances. A lawyer can help evaluate your case and advise you on what may be a fair outcome. Insurance companies commonly use standardized methods to calculate compensation for pain and suffering, often basing these estimates on the total amount of medical bills. While this approach provides a straightforward framework, it may not always account for the unique aspects of each case.
A victim with few medical bills could still have incredibly painful injuries. A victim who went to the hospital will have significant medical bills, but they might not experience lingering pain and discomfort after being discharged.
Each victim may be able to obtain the appropriate type of compensation for their unique pain and suffering. An accident attorney can evaluate a case and give a fair assessment of its value.
Can I Get Compensation If I Was Partly At Fault For The Accident?
Yes! California law follows comparative negligence rules, which means that each person is liable for their negligence. It is not unusual for more than one person to be at fault in a car accident. Two or more drivers might each have been negligent. A bicyclist or pedestrian might be crossing against a light.
A single driver might be only partly at fault for the accident in these circumstances. Insurance companies assign a percentage of fault to each party to determine what portion of your losses they must pay. For example, suppose a driver was 80 percent at fault for hitting you, but you were 20 percent at fault for crossing the street outside of a sidewalk. In this case, the law allows you to seek 80 percent of your total losses.
As you can see, when you are partly at fault for causing an accident, the law reduces your compensation based on your portion of liability. Your injury lawyer can help facilitate a fair assessment of liability.
Our car accident lawyers can handle your case even if you were partly at fault and help you understand how California’s comparative negligence rules might affect your potential compensation.
What Should I Say To The Insurance Company About The Accident?
It is better to focus on the facts of the case or the basic details. Anything you say to the insurance company can be used against you when it comes time to settle your claim. Claims adjusters and insurance lawyers may misinterpret certain parts of your statement.
As soon as you notify the other driver’s insurance company that you have a lawyer, they cannot contact you about the claim. All communications must go through your attorney’s office.
It is important to understand this right because many insurance companies may ask you to give a recorded statement about the accident during their first call to you. You do not have to do this. Simply let them know that your lawyer will be contacting them about the accident. Our team at Arash Law can deal with insurers on your behalf.
Consult Our Newport Beach Car Accident Attorney
Searching the internet for “Newport Beach car accident lawyers near me” can help you find local attorneys who are familiar with the area and its laws. At Arash Law, we aim to provide the legal support clients need when seeking compensation after a car accident. Our legal team has handled claims throughout the Golden State over the years.
We work in Newport Beach and throughout Orange County. Our legal team also serves clients in Los Angeles, Sacramento, Riverside, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, San Jose, San Diego, Fresno, Sherman Oaks, San Francisco, and throughout California. Call (888) 488-1391 or complete our “Do I Have A Case?” form to schedule your free initial consultation. Remember, we never charge any legal fees unless we obtain compensation for your case. However, clients may still be responsible for certain case-related expenses regardless of the outcome.
